AboutArthur Goldstein, M.D. Expertise Any problems or questions related to the field of urology; ie urinary stone disease, urinary cancers (kidney, bladder, prostate, testis, etc.), urinary infections, impotency, etc.
Experience I am retired from the active practice of urology. My 34 years was totally in the clinical field and involved the entire gamut of genitourinary problems, with special interest in male impotence and endourology.
Organizations American Medical Association, American Urological Association, American College of Surgeons
Question Hello, about 2 years ago I had a circumcision, I am 25 years old, anyway it was swollen for many months after, and to this day every morning when I was up the skin is swollen again, usually by night it subsides, but then again in the morning it is always swollen again, there is no pain or discomfort but it is really embarrasing for me. This link has a picture i found on the web of exactly what it looks like : http://www.medscape.com/content/2003/00/45/88/458822/art-458822.fig1.jpg, please give me some advice on what I can do? Any treatments I can take without having to see a urologist?
Answer Andrew, I can only surmise that somehow the circumcision compromised the lymphatic drainage of your penis. Whether this is due to the surgery per se or some pre-existing abnormality of your lymphatics, I cannot say. Lymphatics are tissue vessels that are present all over the body connecting lymph nodes together. It is a distinctly separate system from blood vessels (arteries and veins). Rather than blood, they carry an opaque fluid called lymph. Their function is to keep the tissues healthy by filtering out harmful substances (such as bacteria, viruses, tumor cells, etc.) and enhancing immunity. Your case is unusual in that most men note increased edema in dependent areas as the day goes on purely to the effects of gravity. The reversal in them occurs while sleeping as the lesser pull of gravity in the supine position generally favors redistribution of the edema fluid back into the body. Personally, I have not seen this persistence of edema in my post-circumcision patients. It certainly is not harmful but you are concerned about the cosmetic appearance. I know of no special treatment for this. I suspect you either have to live with it or consider having the area excised. However, there would be no guarantee that it would heal differently. Because of the unusual nature of your case, you might want to consult with one of the urology professors at one of the medical schools, if one is near you. I wish I could offer you more insight or suggestions. Good luck.
